Julia A. Anderson, MA, AG*
Julia Anderson, MA, AG, has a master’s degree in history with an emphasis in post-secondary education and is an Accredited Genealogist with a credential in the United States Gulf South region. She is a United States and Canada Research Specialist at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City and teaches research and accreditation classes for Salt Lake Community College in their Genealogy Certificate program. Julia is the owner and managing member of Anderson Genealogical Research, LLC, and gives freely of her time with much volunteer service. She is currently the conference chair for Utah Genealogical Association's annual virtual Summit of Excellence Conference. Julia resides in Orem, Utah. She and her husband, Scott, have nine children and seven grandchildren.
Gary Ball-Kilbourne, MDiv, PhD, CG**
Gary Ball-Kilbourne, MDiv, PhD, CG, served almost forty years as a United Methodist pastor in North Dakota and as an executive editor at The United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville.
Since he retired from active ministry in 2013, he has been a genealogical researcher, teacher, and writer. He is a trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists and serves as the editor of BCG’s publication, OnBoard. He has written articles for the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Maryland Genealogical Society Journal, and Minnesota Genealogist.
His research interests range from his current location in the Northern Plains; to colonial Connecticut, Maryland, and New Sweden; to the District of Columbia and Baltimore; and to England, Germany, and Hungary. He is on the faculty for the genealogical courses offered online by Boston University, mentors GenProof study groups, and volunteers as wordsmith on the SLIG Committee. He holds a PhD in religion from Vanderbilt University. Gary lives in Fargo, North Dakota.
Angie Bush, MS
Angie Bush, MS (Biotechnology), BS (Molecular Biology), is the Director of Region 1 for the National Genealogical Society. She is a professional genetic genealogist and has been researching her own family since she was 8 years old. She regularly provides advice regarding genetic genealogy to other genealogists in the Salt Lake City area. Prior to her involvement with genetic genealogy, she pursued a career in molecular and clinical genetics. Between obtaining her bachelor's and master's degrees, she spent several years working in the biotech industry where she gained an in-depth, working knowledge of the technologies used in DNA testing. Angie has helped many adoptees to find their biological family through autosomal DNA testing, and is particularly focused on using DNA as a genealogical record to reconstruct relationships and break down brick walls – whether they are recent or several hundred years old.
Angie is a member of the Association for Professional Genealogists, International Society of Genetic Genealogists and Utah Genealogical Association.
Nicole Dyer
Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist specializing in Southern United States research and genetic genealogy. She is the creator of FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She co-authored the books Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide and Research Like a Pro with DNA and is an instructor for the study groups of the same name. She lectures at local and national conferences and previously served as the secretary and publicity chair of the Pima County Genealogy Society. Nicole holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in History Teaching. At Family Locket Genealogists, Nicole is a project manager, editor, genetic genealogy specialist, and Southern States researcher.
Paul K. Graham, AG, CG, CGL
Paul K. Graham, AG, CG, CGL, is a research manager at AncestryProGenealogists where he conducts unknown parentage and complex brick-wall research. In that role he has led research for nine episodes of the television show Who Do You Think You Are?. Paul is BCG-certified and an ICAPGen Accredited Genealogist professional; he holds a master’s degree in public history and a professional certificate in geographic information systems. He has authored or co-authored numerous books and articles, including Georgia Courthouse Disasters and Georgia Land Lottery Research. His publications have earned him the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Award for Excellence and the American Society of Genealogists (ASG) Scholar Award, and he is a winner of the NGS Family History Writing Contest. Paul resides in San Diego.
Shannon Green, CG
Shannon Green, CG, is a genealogy researcher and writer. She earned the Certified Genealogist credential in 2017 and renewed her credential in 2022. Shannon has published articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), the NYG&B Record, the NEHGS Register, and NGS Magazine, as well as several other publications. Her research focuses on the lives of women, which too often are not well documented. She has an undergraduate degree from Duke University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. Shannon lives in Greenwood Village, Colorado with her husband and three children.
Debra A. Hoffman, PLCGS
Debra A. Hoffman, PLCGS, is a professional genealogist specializing in Maryland and German research and the owner of Hoffman Genealogical Services. She is a genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. She has presented at the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research (IGHR), the International German Genealogy Conference, and coordinated the Maryland course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy in 2020 and Course 2-Intermediate Genealogy and Historical Studies in 2021 at IGHR. She is the co-author of NGS’ Research in the States Series: Maryland and has authored articles in the Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin, the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, Der Kurier, Bluegrass Roots, and the Carrolltonian. She has a certificate in Family History from Brigham Young University and a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS)–German Records from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies. Active in the genealogical community, Debra is the past co-director of Gen-Fed and is a graduate and former mentor of the ProGen Study Group. She currently serves as an At-Large Board Member of the Maryland Genealogical Society, is the Recording Secretary for the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Melissa A. Johnson, CG
Melissa Johnson, CG, is a professional genealogist, writer and editor. She has expertise in researching families with origins in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and England, and works on forensic cases, dual citizenship matters, and using DNA to break through ancestral brick walls. Melissa is President of the Genealogical Society of New Jersey and Vice President of the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History. Her work has been published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, NGS Magazine, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, and numerous other publications. Melissa is currently the Program Director for Boston University’s genealogy studies programs, and teaches at various genealogy institutes nationwide.
Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS, FUGA
Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS, FUGA, of Ithaca, New York, is an editor, author, lecturer, and professional genealogist. She served as editor of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record from 2011 until her retirement at the end of 2017. She was named a fellow of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society in November 2012, and has served on the NYG&B Family History Advisory Committee (formerly the Education Committee) since 2011. Karen was made a fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association in 2019. She has lectured at national, state, regional, and local conferences, and coordinates institute courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, and the Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research. She holds an MA from the Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies (State University of New York, Oneonta). She has served on the boards of APG (as Regional Vice President and Director) and FGS (as Director; Vice President of Administration; National Conference Chair of the 1997 FGS conference in Dallas, Texas; and Chair of the FGS Public Relations Committee, 1992-1998).
Gretchen Jorgensen
Gretchen Jorgensen is a professional genealogist with Legacy Tree Genealogists, specializing in DNA analysis for unknown parentage, as well as use of DNA to solve genealogical brick walls. She holds a BS in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from Colorado State University. After graduation, she spent more than a decade as a Software Engineer for a Fortune 100 company, followed by 17 years as a stay-at-home mom. Past genealogy courses include the SLIG DNA Boot Camp, APG Professional Management Conference, and the i4GG International Genetic Genealogy Conference.
Gretchen has spent thousands of hours researching her own family, with a focus on US and Danish records. A query from an adopted 3rdcousin DNA match had the unexpected side effect of developing a passion for solving unknown parentage cases. She participates in a local DNA Special Interest Group, and is an administrator for the DNA Detectives Facebook group.
Jan M. Joyce, DBA, CG, CGL, AG
Jan M. Joyce, DBA, CG, CGL, AG, is a genealogy researcher whose personal work has focused on her Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Wisconsin ancestors who immigrated from England, Germany, Ireland, and Norway. Beginning in 1998, as Vice President of Marketing, she managed the marketing initiatives at Genealogy.com which prompted researching her own family. She has been hooked ever since then but more recently accelerated her genealogical education which has resulted in credentialing.
Her genealogy career is focused on teaching research methodology, writing, and researching her own family. She enjoys speaking and teaching at local societies, regional conferences, and national venues and is known for her interactive and engaging presentation style.
Before beginning her genealogy career, Jan earned a B.S. in Business, Marketing from Miami University; an MBA, Marketing from The Ohio State University and a Doctor of Business Administration from Golden Gate University. She worked in marketing for many years and also taught a variety of marketing courses as an adjunct professor of marketing.
Debra Koehler
Debra Koehler has been a writer and creator of factual content for more than 35 years, first as a writer and producer of news and other programming for local TV stations and major cable networks; and now as a forensic genealogist who specializes in probate cases.
Debra began applying her skills from her television career to genealogy after her dad passed away in 2010. Her areas of focus include her family’s roots in Germany and in the Prussian and Russian partitions of Poland. She also enjoys researching and writing about early pioneers to the Oregon Territory, dissecting NGSQ articles, and learning about forensic genealogy.
Debra holds a BA in Speech Communication with a Broadcasting Emphasis from Colorado State University and an AAS in Paralegal Studies from Umpqua Community College in Oregon. She earned her certificate of Genealogical Research from Boston University in 2018 and is a graduate of ProGen 45 and GenProof 59. She serves as the Secretary for the Association for Professional Genealogists Writers SIG.
Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL
Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL, holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Lecturer. Her focuses are Maryland and military records at the National Archives, especially those of the War of 1812. Rebecca has been taking clients and lecturing since 2004. She has spoken for the National Genealogical Society Conference (NGS), Association of Professional Genealogists Conference (APG), RootsTech, webinars for Legacy, Maryland State Archives, and the Virginia State Archives. She has published articles in the NGS Magazine, APG Quarterly, SAR Magazine, Maryland Genealogical Society Journal, and is co-author of the recently released NGS Research in the States series book on Maryland. Rebecca is returning instructor for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), and has also taught at The Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). She is a graduate and former mentor of the ProGen Study Group, an online peer-led study program based on the book Professional Genealogy; and served as the ProGen Administrator from 2015–2020. Rebecca currently works as Executive Director of the Board for Certification of Genealogists and as Director of the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) held annually at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Leah Larkin, PhD
Leah Larkin earned her PhD in biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she used DNA to study species relationships. She previously worked in both academia and scientific publishing and now applies those research skills to solving genealogicalquestions using DNA. She has contributed to the field of genetic genealogy as a blogger, lecturer, and co-creator of the What Are the Odds? tool. In addition to taking private clients, she is currently working on strategies and tools for dealing with endogamy.
Nicole Gilkison LaRue, CG
Nicole Gilkison LaRue, CG, is a board-certified, full-time professional genealogist with a special interest in researching women and other “brick-wall” obstacles. She has a degree in history and work experience in archives and museums around the country. Her published articles appear in the National Genealogical Society’s NGS Magazine and National Genealogical Society Quarterly. She served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists from 2017–2020.
Dana Leeds
Dana Leeds worked with DNA as an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma’s Health Sciences Center in the early 1990s and later taught middle school science following completion of her BS in Biology Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. She became interested in genealogy in 1998 working with her own families. In recent years, she has combined her passions for science, genealogy, and education as a process innovator, blogger, and speaker focusing on genetic genealogy and its value in working with traditional genealogy brick walls as well as unknown parentage cases.
She is internationally known for her pioneering genetic genealogy process, the Leeds Method, which visually organizes DNA matches into clusters often showing four grandparent lines. This process allows the researcher to focus on a specific section of their family tree. She has shared this method and its benefits at i4GG’s International Genetic Genealogy Conference, RootsTech, and the Association of Professional Genealogists’ annual conference, as well as with local, regional, and online organizations. Dana enjoys taking the mystery out of DNA by putting powerful, user-friendly tools into the hands of genealogists of all skill levels.
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA, describes himself as a lifelong genealogist. He is a full-time professional genealogist, author, and lecturer who specializes in original records and manuscripts throughout the South. Mark lives in Robertson County, Tennessee just north of Nashville near the Kentucky border.
Mark enjoys opportunities to share what he has learned over the years. He serves as the Course Coordinator for Research in the South at IGHR (Georgia Genealogical Society) and also directs Southern courses for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). Mark has worked on several genealogical television series including Finding Your Past, African American Lives 2, Who Do You Think You Are? and UnXplained Events, and provided content for podcasts on Gimlet Media, including Twice Removed.
Mark has published in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly (APGQ), National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), the Genealogical Speakers’ Guild SPEAK!, The Longhunter (So. Ky. Genealogical Society), The Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society Quarterly and other local society publications. He formerly was President of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), President for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), and President of the Southern Kentucky Genealogical Society. Mark is a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Society, and was awarded the Graham T. Smallwood award by the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Annette Burke Lyttle, MA
Annette Burke Lyttle, MA, a professional genealogist since 2014, is a researcher, writer, and educator. She was co-coordinator, along with Steven W. Morrison, for the 2020 Exploring American Quaker Records course at GRIP, faculty member for Virtual Quaker Institute sponsored by the British Institute, and coordinator for From Sea to Shining Sea: Researching Our Ancestors’ Migrations in America for SLIG in 2021. She has also been a faculty member for Guide to Treasures in Federal Records at GRIP and for SLIG’s Bridging the Gap: New England to the Midwest, 1780–1850. She has coordinated Intermediate Foundations for SLIG since 2021.
Her articles have been published in the Illinois Genealogical Society Quarterly, NGS Magazine, FGS FORUM, and The Florida Genealogist. She is the editor of The Florida Genealogist, the semi-annual journal of the Florida State Genealogical Society. From 2017 through 2019 she coordinated the annual conference for the Association of Professional Genealogists, and she currently serves as president of APG.
Her genealogical education includes multiple courses at SLIG, GRIP, and the British Institute. She is a graduate of ProGen 27 and a member of the NGSQ Study Group. She is a former vice president of the APG Writers Special Interest Group. Annette has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in English and has taught writing and literature at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Annette is active in the genealogical community. She serves as an editorial assistant for the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. She president of her local society, The Villages Genealogical Society. Along with C. Ann Staley, CG, she hosts the Florida State Genealogical Society’s monthly webinar series, Poolside Chats.
Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA
Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA, has a passion for teaching genealogy. She is the Education Director for the National Genealogical Society and a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Angela enjoys coordinating courses for the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and she teaches at several other genealogy institutes. She served as the administrator of the ProGen Study Program for six years and is now on the board of directors.
Angela speaks at national conferences and has published articles in Crossroads, the APG Quarterly, and the NGS Magazine. She is a past president of the National Capital Area Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and currently serves as a trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists Education Fund.
Steven Waltz Morrison, MPA
Steven Waltz Morrison, MPA, is the past-president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Olympia Genealogical Society. He attained a Master’s degree from The Evergreen State College where he taught for seven years as an adjunct faculty. In 2018 Steven coordinated Exploring Quaker Records – At Home and Abroad at SLIG, in 2020 co-coordinated Exploring American Quaker Records at GRIP, and in 2021 coordinated Quaker Records of North America, Ireland, and the British Isles for ISBGFH. He’s addressed international audiences on Quaker topics at the Ulster American Heritage Symposium in Omagh, Ireland & Toronto, Canada, and the Yearly Meeting of Friends in Ireland. In 2016, the American Society of Genealogists awarded him their Scholar Award.
Nancy A. Peters, CG, CGL
Nancy A. Peters, CG, CGL, is a full-time professional genealogist and former coeditor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (2019–22). Board-certified since 2011, she served as a trustee and officer of the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) and edited its newsletter, OnBoard. She conducts in-depth genealogical research to solve complex problems of identity and kinship for clients. Her personal and client research focuses primarily on the southeastern United States, New York, England, and Germany. Nancy lectures at national and local conferences and has instructed on skill-building topics and genealogy standards at BCG Education Fund workshops, SLIG, SLIG Academy, and GRIP. Her articles have appeared in the NGS Quarterly and other genealogical journals. She authored the “Research Reports” chapter in the Writing, Editing & Publishing section of Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice, & Standards (2018). Nancy holds postgraduate degrees from University of Arizona and London School of Economics in London, England.
Gena Philibert-Ortega, MA, MAR
Gena Philibert-Ortega is an author, researcher, and instructor whose focus is genealogy, social and women's history. She holds a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology and Women's Studies) and a Master’s degree in Religion. Her published works include three books, numerous articles published in magazines and online, two volumes of Tracing Female Ancestors (Moorshead Publishing), Tracing Your Ancestors: Hispanic Research (Moorshead Publishing) and a QuickGuide from Legacy Family Tree. She is the editor of the Utah Genealogical Association’s magazine, Crossroads. Her writings can be found on her blogs, Gena’s Genealogy and Food.Family.Ephemera as well as the GenealogyBank and Legacy Family Tree blogs. She is a course instructor for The National Institute for Genealogical Studies and has written courses on topics involving websites, social media, and ethics. She has presented to diverse groups worldwide including the National Genealogical Society Conference, the Alberta Genealogical Society Conference, the Geo-Literary Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Legacy Family Tree Webinar series. Her research projects include Sowerby’s British Mineralogy: Its Influence on Martha Proby and Others in the Scientific Community during the 19th Century for the Gemological Institute of America, as well as genealogical research for the first season of PBS’s Genealogy Roadshow and the Travel Channel’s Follow Your Past. Her current research includes women's repatriation and citizenship in the 20th century, foodways and community in fundraising cookbooks, and women's material culture.
Kimberly T. Powell
Kimberly served as the Genealogy Expert for About.com for sixteen years and is the author of several books, including most recently “The Challenge of Endogamy and Pedigree Collapse” in Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies and The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy, 3rd edition. She has also contributed to several popular genealogy magazines, including BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?, Family Tree Magazine, and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly.
Kimberly is on the faculty at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), as well as for the online genealogy programs offered through Boston University. Her personal and professional research focus is families with roots in the southeastern US and southwestern PA. You can find her online at Level Up Genealogy, https://www.levelupgenealogy.com.
Lyn Rasmussen, CG
Lyn Rasmussen, CG, is a Certified Genealogist and a holds a bachelor’s degree in Family History from Brigham Young University. Lyn works as a United States and Canada Research Specialist at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lyn has given presentations for the FamilySearch Library, the National Genealogical Society, and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, among others. Lyn specializes in African American research, Native American research, and Southern United States research.
Cynthia Richardson
Cynthia Richardson began gendeavoring—endeavoring to develop professional-level genealogical research and writing skills—in 2015 after almost four decades of gathering records. She graduated from ProGen 33 in 2018 and completed the National Genealogical Society’s American Genealogical Studies course in 2019. Cynthia holds a master’s degree in Language, Reading & Culture (reading instruction) from the University of Arizona and has served as a family history center director, a ProGen coordinator, and a transcription project volunteer. Her current research focuses on Central New York ancestors, but she is also knowledgeable about Chicago records. Her favorite pastimes include playing banjo, fiddle, and koto, writing letters, doodling mandalas, sewing zipper bags, and capturing day-to-day experiences in photographs to post on Instagram.
Kim Richardson
Kim Richardson, professional genealogist, founded the research and consulting firm Southern Heritage Genealogy to assist clients in their pursuit of their deep-south ancestors. Her personal family research coincides with that same geographical area and she enjoys finding ways to overcome the challenges presented by researching in the South.
Kim's favorite genealogy activity is serving the family history community by coaching and empowering others to break through barriers to achieve their goals. To that end, Kim created and developed the "Brick Wall Buster Cards" to show others her secret to solving tough genealogy problems and family mysteries. She regularly teaches and presents to groups across the country. She also writes for local and state genealogy publications and wrote the “Mississippi Research Guide” for Family Tree Magazine.
Kim earned a BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Mississippi State University. She retired from service to the State of Mississippi after 25 years as an advocate for victims of violent crime and working in highway traffic safety programs.
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
Judy G. Russell, "The Legal Genealogist," is a genealogist with a law degree. She writes, teaches, and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical topics, ranging from using court records in family history to understanding DNA testing. A Colorado native with roots deep in the American south on her mother’s side and entirely in Germany on her father’s side, she is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, and numerous state and regional genealogical societies. She has written for the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and National Genealogical Society Magazine, among other publications.
Judy is a recipient of the Silver Tray Award from the Utah Genealogical Association and the 2017 Award of Excellence from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, and she now serves as a member of the NGSQ editorial board. An internationally-known lecturer and course coordinator and faculty member at numerous genealogical institutes, she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Lecturer from the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Her award-winning blog appears at The Legal Genealogist website, https://www.legalgenealogist.com.
Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA, is a long-time genealogical researcher and instructor. He coordinated and taught in advanced methodology, land, military, and beginning courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research from 2003-2017. Rick co-coordinates advanced land courses with Pam Sayre and legal courses with Judy Russell at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. He is an instructor at the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records. He also lectures at national conferences and presents nationwide seminars. Rick’s areas of expertise include the records of the National Archives, Irish research, land records, government documents, federal land law, military records, and urban research.
Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA
Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA, is the President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm with over 5,300 titles in print. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than thirty years, he specializes in the records of the National Archives, especially those that relate to the military. He is the former Coordinator of the Military tracks at IGHR, SLIG and GRIP.
Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG
Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG, BCG Trustee, is an author and national lecturer focusing on topics related to using genetic evidence correlated with documentary evidence to solve genealogical brick walls. A Chicago local, she holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago and has completed advanced graduate study in Social Anthropology at the Colegio de Michoacán, Mexico. Her genealogical practice specializes in Midwestern U.S., Chicago, and Mexican research as well as complex problem-solving, unknown parentage, and DNA analysis. She is a coordinator and faculty member at IGHR, and SLIG. She is a faculty member at GRIP. She received the NGSQ Award for Excellence for her complex evidence case study incorporating traditional documentary research and autosomal DNA analysis in the June 2016 issue of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Most recently, she published “Drowning in DNA? The Genealogical Proof Standard Tosses a Lifeline” in Debbie Parker Wayne’s book Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies. She holds the credential Certified Genealogist from the Board for Certification of Genealogists where she serves as a Trustee and is chair of the standing DNA Committee.
Michael L. Strauss, AG
Michael L. Strauss, AG, is a professional Accredited Genealogist and a nationally recognized genealogical speaker. He has been employed as a forensic genealogist for 25 years, has a BA in history, and is a United States Coast Guard veteran. Michael is also a qualified expert witness in the courts in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and an approved genealogist with the United States Army to locate DNA qualified persons MIA from Korea, Vietnam, and World War II. Strauss has been a faculty member of IGHR, SLIG, and GRIP, has been involved in Civil War reenacting for more than 25 years, and also reenacts the Mormon Battalion with the Utah Living History Association.
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FUGA
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FUGA, is a nationally known genealogical researcher and speaker. Passionate about family history, Joshua is the President of the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B). He is a frequent speaker at family history events across the globe and is a course coordinator at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). Recognized for his work in the field, Joshua is the recipient of the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society, the Award of Merit from the Federation of Genealogical Societies, and was named one of Library Journal's Movers and Shakers. In 2022 he was named a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association. Joshua formerly served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS). He holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College and has been a featured genealogist on Who Do You Think You Are? as a host on the popular PBS series Genealogy Roadshow.
Tanner Tolman
Tanner Tolman has worked as a professional genealogist for 11 years. He currently works full-time for FamilySearch where he regularly helps guests with Nordic and DNA research. He has a bachelor’s degree in Family History and Genealogy from BYU and is accredited for Danish research through ICAPGen. He currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Utah Genealogical Association and is a co-administrator for the Youmans Y-DNA surname project.
Lynn Turner, AG
Lynn Turner, AG, graduated with a BA in Family History and Genealogy from Brigham Young University with an emphasis in Spain and Latin America. He has been accredited in Spanish research since 2006. Lynn has worked at FamilySearch for more than 17 years in various roles and is currently the Director of the Family History Library. If he’s not researching, Lynn is spending time with his family, golfing, or mountain biking.
Rich Venezia
Rich Venezia is a New Jersey native who now calls Philadelphia home. He founded Rich Roots Genealogy in 2013. He was a member of the research team of Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) for two seasons, and also consulted on Follow Your Past (Travel Channel). He is an expert in the research of 20th-century immigrant ancestors, especially underutilized record sources and federal records. He also specializes in Italian and Irish research. Additionally, he assists clients with dual citizenship applications for Ireland and Italy and is a proud Italian dual citizen. Rich holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. He lectures nationwide and spoke about "How to Grow Empathy From Uncovering Your Roots" at TEDx Pittsburgh in 2017.
Ari Wilkins
Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy programming and education. She worked with the esteemed genealogist, Dr. James Rose on his project, “Generations: The WPA Ex-Slave Narrative Database.”
Ms. Wilkins has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, RootsTech, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, American Library Association, and a multitude of local societies.
Ari has concentrated her interests in North Carolina and Louisiana research and specializes in African American genealogy and research.
Paul Woodbury, MEd, AG
Paul Woodbury, MEd, AG, is a graduate of Brigham Young University where he studied Genetics and Family History. Paul fell in love with genealogy when he was eight years old. Since he was sixteen he knew he wanted to be a genetic genealogist, so he is particularly pleased to work in the field full-time. He currently works as a senior researcher and DNA specialist for Legacy Tree Genealogists. He is also actively pursuing a graduate degree in Instructional Design and Educational Technology. In addition to genetic genealogy, Paul specializes in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Scandinavian research and regularly presents on research topics related to these fields.
Jennifer Armstrong Zinck, CG
Jennifer Armstrong Zinck, CG, is a New England-based professional genealogist who enjoys researching, writing, teaching, and consulting. Her educational background includes an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Jennifer serves as the President of the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council, Inc., and on the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. She teaches Forensic Research as an Academic Professional in the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate Program. Jennifer's client work has spanned the United States and beyond and her personal areas of research interest are New England and northeast England. She developed a passion for using DNA evidence for genealogical research in 2011 and has spent the last decade integrating genetic evidence with documentary evidence to solve challenging genealogical research problems, including unknown and misattributed parentage and ancestral brick walls.
* The words Accredited Genealogist and its acronym, AG, are a registered accreditation mark of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists℠, used under license by accredited genealogists after periodic evaluation.
** The words Certified Genealogist and its acronym, CG, are a registered certification mark, and the designations Certified Genealogical Lecturer and its acronym, CGL, are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation.
